12:15

Passenger numbers back to 2009 levels

Continued Exeter Airport passenger growth

Continued Exeter Airport passenger growth

With the summer holiday season now well underway Exeter Airport is seeing passenger numbers back to pre-recession levels. The latest monthly figures for the airport show continued passenger growth with rolling twelve month passenger numbers above 800,000 for the first time since 2009.

Exeter Airport managing director Matt Roach said: “The increase of both inbound and outbound passengers has been largely driven by the return of Flybe’s popular sun routes, their additional domestic services and our Thomson based aircraft with flights to fifteen popular holiday destinations.

“The figures have really benefited from Flybe’s London City route which started nine months ago. These flights have proved to be very popular with passengers enjoying the fast service into the heart of the City whilst benefitting from the speed of transit through Exeter Airport with free fast track through security, complementary use of the new Executive lounge and upgrades to premium car parking nearest the terminal building.”

Extra services to Manchester with Flybe, the return of the popular Newcastle service and the latest route to Deauville Normandy, which started in June, have also helped with the higher level of passenger traffic at the airport.  A growing list of codeshare agreements between the airline and other carriers means even more flexibility for long-haul travellers and those departing from the South West can now have seamless onward travel from Exeter via Manchester or Dublin to a range of international destinations.

With the Flybe summer season being extended into October for the Alicante, Malaga and Palma Mallorca flights, the trend for more passengers through Exeter Airport looks set to continue.